VARIABLE COMPRESSION RATIO ENGINE

CONTENTS:

Introduction Demand for Variable Compression Ratio Methods to Modify CR Performance of VCR Emission control Advantages of VCR over FCR Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

A variable compression ratio (VCR) engine is able to operate at different compression ratios, depending on the particular vehicle performance needs. The VCR engine is optimized for the full range of driving conditions, such as acceleration, speed, and load.. To further improve fuel economy, the VCR engine is small, with about one third the displacement volume of a conventional gasoline engine and contributes for good power output when needed and better fuel economy with reduced emissions.

COMPRESSION RATIO (CR)

What
y

is it?

Is the ratio by which the fuel/air mixture is compressed before it is ignited. y Limited in conventional engines due to autoignition. y Determines how efficiently the engine can utilize the energy in the fuel. y The compression ratio is one of the most important factors that determine how efficiently the engine can utilize the energy in the fuel.

DEMAND FOR VARIABLE COMPRESSION RATIO

Conventional gasoline engines operate at a fixed(low) C.R to prevent knocking at high power levels under fast acceleration, high speeds, or heavy loads. If the C.R were increased at low-power operation, gasoline engines could achieve higher fuel efficiency. Potential benefits in fuel consumption and reduction in CO2 emissions can be expected from running at higher C.R during part throttle operation. The detonation limits identified at wide open throttle do not apply to part throttle operation, as the incylinder temperatures and pressures are so much lower.

CR - CHARACTERISTICS
CR

of traditional engine is fixed and is a compromise across a wide range of operating conditions. for passenger cars ranges between 8:1 and 10:1, while CR for diesel engines can be much higher.

Typical Compression Ratios

CR

DISADVANTAGES OF FIXED CR

Because CR cannot vary to fit a wide range of operating conditions:

y

Power output is reduced Fuel efficiency is not optimized Pollution from combustion is not minimized.

FUEL CONSUMPTION REDUCTION STRATEGIES

Fuel Consumption Reduction Strategy 1 - Increased effective expansion ratio Sources of effectiveness Engine strategies Improved indicated efficiency High Fixed Compression Ratio (FCR) Variable Compression Ratio High supercharging Increased average BMEP 10:1 Compression Ratio (FCR) From 8:1 to 16:1 Compression Ratio (VCR) High supercharging Increased average BMEP Load control by air/fuel ratio Load control by Late Intake Valve Closing Reduction of all friction sources

2 - Downsizing

Pumping losses reduction Internal heat transfer surface reduction Flame travel distance reduction Friction losses reduction Pumping losses reduction Friction losses reduction Pumping losses reduction

3 - Downspeeding 4 - Unthrottled load control

5 - Engine mechanical efficiency improvement

Friction losses reduction

VARIABLE COMPRESSION RATIO (VCR)

What is it? The combustion chamber volume, Vc, is altered to meet the power needs to the vehicle. At low power levels, high CR captures fuel efficiency benefits. At high power levels, low CR prevents knock.

VCR - ADVANTAGES
CR modified to meet power demand (CRs range from 7:1 to 21:1) Increased fuel efficiency

Claims of up to 30% reduction in fuel consumption y Adding variable valve actuation and turbo-charging further improves fuel efficiency (7-10% additional reduction in fuel consumption)
y

Reduced combustion emissions

Increased Efficiency and Pollution Reduction with VCR:

VCR - DISADVANTAGES
New technology results in high research and development and manufacturing costs. Reliability is not proven. Consumer reactions are unknown and unpredictable. Repairs and maintenance initially may be difficult and costly.

METHODS TO MODIFY CR

Moving the cylinder head. Variation of combustion chamber volume. Variation of piston deck height. Modification of connecting rod geometry. Moving the crankpin within the crankshaft (effectively varying the stroke). Moving the crankshaft axis.

Ways to Modify CR:

A: articulated cylinder head B: hydraulic pistons C: eccentrics on bearings D: multilink rod-crank mechanisms E: additional piston in cylinder head F: gear-based mechanisms

MOVING THE CYLINDER HEAD:

By combining head and liners into a semi mono block construction which pivots with respect to the remainder of the engine, SAAB have enabled a tilting motion to adjust the effective height of the piston crown at TDC. The rotary eccentric which alters the relative position of the two halves of the engine has to overcome the combined inertia of head, liners, supercharger, intercooler and manifolds.

Upper Engine Block Increased Volume Actuator Lower Engine Block Pivot Point

VCR -TILTING MONO HEAD DESIGN

VARIATION OF COMBUSTION CHAMBER

VOLUME

Typically, the volume of the combustion chamber is increased to reduce the CR by moving a small secondary piston which communicates with the chamber.

MCE-5 VCR ENGINE BLOCK

Pistons

Control jack

Control Rack Gear Wheel Crankshaft

Control Jack: up and down movement results in the displacement of the control rack and ultimately a change in the volume of the combustion chamber.

Control Rack

VARIATION OF PISTON DECK HEIGHT:

Variation in compression height of the piston offers potentially the most attractive route to a production VCR engine.

MOVING THE CRANKPIN WITHIN THE

CRANKSHAFT

Several systems have been proposed which either carry the crankshaft main bearings in an eccentric assembly or move the crankpins eccentrically to effect a stroke change at TDC.

CONCLUSIONS
Variable

Compression Ratio engines have great potential to increase engine power and fuel economy. When coupled with technologies such as turbocharging, variable valve actuation, and direct fuel injection, the effectiveness of the system is further increased. Once established, this technology will likely become commonplace due to increasing energy and environmental concerns and the ease of integration.